Ambitious Blacktown Spartans Head Coach Brad Attard has stated his intent on giving the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s season a big shake-up as his chargers go through their preseason paces for the new year.
The 28-year-old managed to resign the majority of his 2020 squad with current Western Sydney Wanderers gun Courtney Nevin the latest new inclusion in what will be an ultra-competitive team set to also contain other W-League stars such as Ashlie Crofts, Rosie Galea, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Charlotte Grant.
“We have managed to maintain over 70% of our players from last season which is a great result for the club as this shows a great buy in from the majority of the players.
“Of the players lost from the 2020 season, they include the retirement of Candice Sciberras and Alix Roberts, two players who have had stellar NPL careers along with some injuries to some key personnel, although we’re positive to see a few of them back on the park in late 2021.
“As mentioned, our major signing for the 2021 season is Courtney Nevin from the Western Sydney Wanderers – she will join a host of some amazing W-league players that we will welcome back to Blacktown.
“Recruitment is still happening however, and we are hoping to add to that W-League list in the coming weeks.”
Attard mentioned that one player that is set to have a breakout season and that will be one footballer to watch out for is rising star Annabelle Daczko.
“Annabelle Daczko is a star coming through our system, having played 9 consecutive seasons at the club and she’s only 18.
“I had the pleasure of coaching her for two seasons in the Under 15s and she is now a regular first grader. It’s been an absolute pleasure watching her develop and would be expecting another fantastic season from her.”
The Women’s NPL competition is set to kick-off a little later than usual with the Spartans taking on the mighty Sydney University SFC outfit on Sunday 4th of April at Blacktown Football Park.
Attard stated to Football NSW the objectives he’s outlined for his squad where he hopes to lead the ladies to glory and some much needed silverware.
“Overall I would like our side to be playing a more disciplined style of football as well as managing matches a little better than what we did last year.
“How we would like that to translate is into finals football and the flame burns a bit brighter after finishing just outside the finals spots last season on ‘For and Against’.
“It’s been a real positive start to the 2021 preseason campaign, and we are happy where we sit at the moment.
“Due to the 2020 COVID interrupted season, we decided to give the players a bit over a month during the Christmas period to freshen up. Our sessions to date have been very well received by the playing group and with a late finish to the W-League season, we’ll need to ensure that the entire squad is prepared mentally and physically come round 1 against Sydney Uni.”
The success of female football has certainly been evident at the club with Attard stating that the best is yet to come at the Spartans.
“It’s been an incredible journey for me over the past 6 seasons coaching at Blacktown.
“It’s really chalk and cheese comparing to what it was then to how it is now.
“The awareness and support given to the Women’s side is brilliant.
“We have some fantastic coaches throughout the junior programs and some amazing players coming through which will hopefully transition into senior players in the coming years.”
